WorkCover home help, personal care and domestic assistance

What assistance can include

Domestic assistance can include help with cleaning, laundry, lawn or garden care and some transport not otherwise covered. Depending on the injury and circumstances, other support such as personal care, equipment or home modifications may also need to be discussed with the insurer.

• Cleaning and laundry
• Lawn or garden care
• Approved transport support
• Personal-care needs
• Aids, equipment or home modifications where clinically justified

A functional assessment explains the need

A functional assessment identifies which home tasks were performed before the injury, which tasks are now unsafe or not possible, and what level of help is reasonably required. A physiotherapist can document physical function and recommend practical strategies, equipment or assistance for the treating team and insurer to consider.

Eligibility is not automatic

SIRA sets specific eligibility tests for domestic assistance. These include medical certification, reasonable necessity, evidence that the worker performed the tasks before injury and impairment-related criteria. Temporary assistance may be available in some circumstances for up to six hours a week for a total of three months. The insurer decides the individual request.

How to request help

• Tell the GP and physiotherapist which tasks you cannot safely complete
• Ask whether a functional assessment is appropriate
• Request the insurer's current domestic-assistance process
• Provide supporting clinical information
• Ask for the decision and reasons in writing

If the request is delayed or declined

Ask the insurer which eligibility requirement has not been met and whether further clinical information is required. If the problem remains unresolved, the Independent Review Office can assist with enquiries and complaints about a NSW workers compensation insurer.